Craving a plate of crispy, flavorful onion bhajias but not thrilled about the deep-frying part? You're in luck! With an air fryer, you can enjoy all the deliciousness of onion pakoras without the guilt.
This healthy, oil-free version of the traditional snack is quick, easy, and perfect for any occasion. Plus, we’re adding a tangy twist with raw mango to make these onion bhajias in air-fryer even more irresistible. Let’s get started!
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Why Make Bhajias in an Air Fryer?
- Healthier Alternative: Traditional bhajias are deep-fried, but using an air fryer significantly reduces the amount of oil needed, making this recipe a much healthier option. It’s gluten-free and can easily be made vegan, catering to a variety of dietary preferences.
- Easy Cleanup: No messy oil splatters or greasy pans to clean up afterward. An air fryer makes the whole process hassle-free and quick.
- Quick and Convenient: In just 12 minutes, you can have a batch of crispy, delicious bhajias ready to serve. It’s the perfect easy air-fryer recipe for when you’re short on time.
- Same Great Taste: Despite being oil-free, these air fryer bhajias retain all the flavors and textures you love, with an added zing from the raw mango.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these crispy onion bhajias in the air fryer, gather the following ingredients:
- Onions: Thinly sliced into roundels
- Raw mango: Peeled and cut into juliennes
- Gram flour (besan): The base for our bhajia batter
- Rice flour: For added crispiness
- Green chilies: Finely chopped
- Ginger: Grated
- Mint leaves: Fresh and aromatic
- Oil: For brushing the bhajias
- Water: As needed to form the batter
Spices:
- Salt to taste
- Red chili powder: Adjust according to your spice preference
- Pakora masala: For that authentic pakora flavor
Head to the Recipe Card for the quantity of the ingredients used!
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Bhajias: Step-by-Step Guide
Here is Step by step guide to make onion bhaji's in Air fryer.
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Start by peeling and washing the onions. Slice them into thin roundels and sprinkle with a little salt. Let them sit for a few minutes to release moisture—this ensures your onion pakoras will be extra crispy. Next, peel and julienne the raw mango, and set it aside.
Step 2: Make the Bhajia Batter
In a large mixing bowl or plate, combine the onion roundels, raw mango juliennes, chopped mint leaves, grated ginger, and chopped green chilies. Add the gram flour, rice flour, and spices (salt, red chili powder, and pakora masala).
Gradually add water to the mixture, a little at a time, until a thick batter forms that coats the vegetables well. Stir in a small amount of oil to help bind the mixture. If needed, add more gram flour to achieve the right consistency.
Step 3: Air Frying the Bhajias
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F). Once preheated, carefully place small portions of the bhajia batter into the air fryer basket, making sure they’re evenly spaced and not overcrowded.
Air fry the bhajias for a total of 12 minutes. At the 6-minute mark, open the air fryer, turn the bhajias over, and brush them with a little more oil. This will help them cook evenly and develop that perfect golden-brown crust on both sides.
Variations You Can Try
- Mixed Vegetable Bhajias: Add sliced potatoes, spinach, or even cauliflower to the onion and raw mango mixture for a mixed vegetable pakora.
- Paneer Onion Pakoras: Toss some cubes of paneer into the batter for a protein-packed twist.
- Corn-Infused Bhajias: Add corn to the batter and make crispy and crunchy pakoras.
Storing and Reheating
If you have leftovers (which is unlikely!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for a few minutes until they regain their crispiness.
If you need to make them in advance, air fry the bhajias for 10 minutes initially. When you’re ready to serve, reheat them in the air fryer for 2 minutes after brushing with a bit more oil.
Top Tip
While making Onion Bhajias in an Air Fryer, keep in mind to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. This ensures that the pakoras cook evenly and get that perfect crispy texture. If needed, cook them in batches to achieve the best results.
Serving Suggestions
When the bhajias are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. While they’re best enjoyed fresh and hot, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Hint: Be aware that storing them may make them soggy, so it’s best to serve them right away for optimal taste and texture!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Air Fryer Onion Bhajias
Rice flour adds a distinct crispiness, but if you don’t have it on hand, just skip that.
Yes, preheating ensures that the bhajias cook evenly and turn out perfectly crispy.
This recipe is already gluten-free since it uses gram flour and rice flour. Just ensure all your spices are gluten-free as well.
Increase the amount of red chili powder or add extra chopped green chilies to the batter for an extra kick.
Yes, you can freeze cooked bhajias. To reheat, place them directly in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes at 350°F (175°C) until crispy.
Fresh onions are ideal as they provide the right texture and moisture for the batter. Frozen onions might make the batter too watery.
Pairing
These Onion Bhajias are delicious on their own but I like to pair them with -
More Such Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Onion Bhajias in Air-Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 onions large
- 1 raw mango medium-sized
- ¼ cup gram flour besan
- ¼ cup rice flour
- 2 green chilies
- 2 inch ginger
- mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Water
Spices:
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 2 teaspoons pakora masala
Instructions
- Peel and thinly slice 2 onions into roundels. Sprinkle with salt and let them sit for a few minutes to release moisture.
- Peel and julienne 1 medium-sized raw mango. Set aside.
- Finely chop 2 green chilies, grate 2 inches of ginger, and roughly chop a handful of mint leaves.
- In a large bowl, combine ¼ cup of gram flour (besan), ¼ cup of rice flour, 1 teaspoon of red chili powder, 2 teaspoons of pakora masala, and salt to taste.
- Add the sliced onions, raw mango juliennes, chopped green chilies, ginger, and mint leaves to the flour mixture. Gradually add water, mixing until you have a thick batter.
- Mix in 1 tablespoon of oil to help bind the batter. If needed, add more gram flour to achieve the right consistency.
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F).
- Drop small portions of the batter into the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch each other.
- Cook the bhajias for 12 minutes, turning them over and brushing with a little more oil at the 6-minute mark.
- Once golden and crispy, remove the bhajias from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving with your favorite chutney or dipping sauce.
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